Our Friend, Nancy Rotenberg

Adirondack Photography Institute was begun with an anxious phone call to Nancy Rotenberg. At the time, she was probably the busiest nature photographer and instructor in the country. She made time for us. And she would do that again and again and again over the years.

Recently, we were very excited because Nancy had agreed to take part in our fledgling retreat program in 2012. This program evolved out of an ongoing conversation with Nancy over several years. Last year's inaugural offering was a dream come true. This program was made to order for Nancy. We are deeply saddened that she will never take part in it.

We were informed this morning that our friend and mentor Nancy Rotenberg has left this world. To say that she will be missed is like saying that we'd miss the sun if it didn't come out tomorrow.

Thank you Nancy, for giving us a past and a future. We will never forget.

Namasté, old friend...

Lots of Fun and Learning in Lake Placid

photo by Van Ruttley

This past weekend was our second annual workshop in partnership with Adirondack Life Magazine. We had beautiful, productive weather in Lake Placid for nearly the entire time. During the weekend API Instructors Mark Bowie, Joe LeFevre and John Radigan discussed the latest technologies and techniques, while magazine folks Annie Stoltie and Kelly Hofschneider provided insight into the workings of the publishing business and specific needs of Adirondack Life. We kicked it all off with an introductory view of the area and its many aspects with API's John DiGiacomo and a wonderful look at the magazine over the years from Betsy Folwell.

photo by Vepra Vranici

We had a great group of photographers participating, with lots of original insights and willingness to share their experiences. The viewing and critique of images that ended the weekend turned up some real gems! This year's field trips took advantage of the mist (and mystery) created by warm days and cool nighttime temperatures. On Friday night we were once again able to take advantage of the shooting opportunities from the roof of Northwoods Inn, where we were hosted graciously by the Smith family.

photo by Omar Lee

We can't wait to do this again next year!

Stellar Night Photography Workshop!

API instructor Mark Bowie, author of the e-book, The Light of Midnight: Photographing the Landscape at Night, recently led an intensive workshop on night photography, based in the Olympic village of Lake Placid. He covered many facets of nocturnal shooting, including specialized techniques for determining nighttime exposures, composing and focusing in the dark, photographing the night landscape in relation to the heavens, and techniques for processing nighttime images. Shooting sessions in the village provided an infinite array of subjects. Neon colors were reflected in rain puddles. Long exposures captured vehicle lights, storefronts, and visitors’ umbrellas in bold, saturated colors.

Bowie writes, “Standing in pitch darkness along the weedy shores of Connery Pond near Lake Placid at eleven o’clock at night, stars shone between puffy clouds, the Big Dipper prominent. It was warm and a little humid. Looming above the far shore, the summit of Whiteface Mountain was encased in shifting fog. When the fog parted, the weather station light beamed like a beacon. The moon rose behind us, illuminating the foreground grasses. We shot exposures from seconds-long to twelve minutes, the resulting images capturing the stunning beauty of clouds streaming overhead, trees on the far shore reflected with precision in the pond, the stars shining through the moving veil of clouds — all set against a backdrop of indigo-blue sky. Surely these are some of the most spectacular night images ever captured in the Adirondacks, and I came away more enamored with night photography than ever before.”

If you’re interested in learning how to photograph the night, consider joining Mark for a one-day seminar and night shoot at AutumnColor Imaging in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 10th. For details, click here. Mark will be conducting more night photography workshops in 2012. Our new schedule will be posted soon.

NECCC 2011

The annual New England Council of Camera Clubs (NECCC) conference was held in Amherst, MA from July 15^th to 17^th. This gathering of photographers, vendors and nationally-known speakers draws over 1,000 participants each year. There’s a slew of talks on such diverse topics as photojournalism, portraiture and nature photography, with hands-on teaching programs and model shoots throughout the weekend. This year’s event was capped off by a chance to photograph a hot air balloon rise Saturday evening.

Mark Bowie represented API at our trade show booth. He has spoken at the conference several times and had the chance to re-visit friends and colleagues, and introduce new attendees to the Adirondacks and API’s workshop and tour offerings.

The conference is always a great weekend of photography, education, inspiration and camaraderie with fellow shooters. If you’re interested in attending next year’s conference, check out the NECCC’s website, www.neccc.org, for information. We’ll see you there!

Our 1st Adirondack Canoe Photo Tour!

The inaugural Adirondack Canoe Photo Tour immersed participants in some of the most incredible and diverse Adirondack beauty. API instructor Mark Bowie and Adirondack guide Griz Caudle led the group to several interconnected waters in the most saturated area of the Adirondack Park — the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest and St Regis Canoe Wilderness. We photographed mists rising from Floodwood Pond, gardens of white water lilies on Fish Creek, pitcher plants and sundew on floating mats of boreal bog, and a dramatic sunrise over Follensby Clear Pond. We photographed a loon dancing on the water, a days-old loon chick riding the waves alongside her mother, fluff-ball mallard ducklings scrambling over a log, and other ducks jumping off a high rock into the water. A beaver surprised one of us near his lodge. An osprey wheeled overhead. This area produces magical moments every day, which makes for creative images and an authentic Adirondack experience. Its intrigue captivated our paddlers.

We plan to return to this area next year, visiting more special waters and scenic hot spots. If you’d like to experience the backwoods beauty of the Adirondacks by boat, side-by-side with a noted photographer and famed guide, consider joining us.

High Peaks Adventure with McGowan/DiGiacomo

photo by John DiGiacomo

Guest instructor Don McGowan, assisted by API staff member John DiGiacomo, led an excellent group of photographers on API’s first early-summer, week-long workshop in the Park’s High Peaks region. Based out of the Historic Northwoods Inn in Lake Placid, this energetic group were treated to a plethora of photographic opportunities including mountain vistas, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, ponds, bogs (complete with beavers  and Great Blue Herons), early summer wild flowers, water lilies, ferns, farmland and much more. Many of the participants commented on how the number and variety of photographic opportunities far exceeded their expectations for this time of year.

Don and John share the API staff philosophy of not photographing while teaching, affording participants more one-on-one instruction, focusing on their individual needs and goals. Group and individual field instruction included the creative use of wide angle, macro and tilt-shift lenses, and also the steps necessary to create successful panoramic and HDR images. The group also spent several hours, spread out over the week, participating in interactive critique sessions that were well received.

Most importantly the group frequented many of John’s favorite coffee houses including Wake Up Call in Keene and Bean-To-Coffee in Saranac Lake. Communal dinners were had at a different restaurant each evening allowing participants time to better get to know one another.

Adirondack Songbirds Workshop

I want to thank all participants for attending the Adirondack Songbirds workshop. We had a great group! They photographed many beautiful species of warblers; including one which I had never previously seen. Additional avian subjects included Vireos, Sparrows (Song and White-throated), Cedar Waxwings, Chickadees, Nuthatches and more.

The Woods Inn went out of their way to accommodate our varied meal times and the food was incredible as usual. A wonderful time was had by all.